Coal Generation Surges During Winter Storm Fern
Coal-fired electricity generation in the lower 48 states rose sharply during the week ending January 25, 2026, increasing 31% as Winter Storm Fern drove up power demand, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. This jump contrasted with earlier in the month, when mild weather kept coal use below January 2025 levels. Natural gas generation also grew 14% during the storm week, while solar, wind, and hydropower output declined and nuclear generation remained steady. Coal supplied 21% of total U.S. electricity that week—up from 17%—making it the second‑largest source behind natural gas at 38%, with nuclear at 18%. The EIA noted that coal plants continue to serve as an important reliability resource during extreme weather and high‑demand periods, a pattern seen in previous cold snaps.
